Xander Malvern — Restaurant in Melbourne

We went here for a birthday lunch today and we were fairly disappointed. We had booked the upstairs area weeks in advance for 13, but when we arrived we found out we had been moved downstairs in front of the door. Turns out we had been moved downstairs to make way for other guests up stairs. So not off to a great start. Ordered a range of foods and many turned out to be a real let down. Those who ordered the crispy calamari seemed to get a half portion and had a mix of calamari and octopus. Not sure if they just ran out or just under estimated how much to cook, but they didn't bother to say anything about it. Steak was about half the expected 300g size, and was cut into pieces rather than left as an actual steak. Chicken was a decent size but over cooked and dry. Only thing that we got which was good was the lamb shoulder. The serving size and quality do not match the rather large price. Some meals came with adequate sides on their own, while others you had to buy the over priced sides separately, and the menu does not indicate this is the case. Service wasn't great either. Main foods where served at different times. People had finished their mains before others had even received theirs. Reordering drinks was also a pain, with the servers only seeming to want to take a couple of drink orders and then ignoring others trying to order.

Turned out to be a let down of a birthday...

I have been to Xander twice for lunch about 2 months ago and really loved every aspect of this restaurant. So, I felt confident in recommending it to my friends wanting to celebrate a birthday with dinner this evening. To begin with we were handed very tatty, torn dinner and wine menus. The young Asian man who waited on us was very nice but very inexperienced. I got the feeling straightaway that the owners were cutting costs with their staff as previously, I had found the staff to be very efficient and knowledgeable regarding the food and the wine. The food was as good as it has been previously but there was no ambience in terms of music. Another Asian waitress appeared and started removing plates from our table before we were finished which prompted me to ask her if she was in a rush to which she responded that she was not. At 9pm the male waiter came to our table and announced that the restaurant was closing in 15 minutes!! Admittedly this is a Wednesday night and there were only 2 other tables occupied but we found the service to be very disappointing considering the bill was over $400.00. I think we’ll be looking to find another restaurant to celebrate the next birthday in November. Overall,...

I have been to this new gem of a place Xander in Malvern East a couple of times, and I have to say, it’s quickly become one of my favourite spots! They’ve taken classic Greek cuisine and given it a modern twist that’s both creative and absolutely delicious. Every dish I have tried is so fresh and thoughtfully put together and absolutely delicious!

The drinks are just as impressive—whether you’re into wine or cocktails, they have fantastic pairings that really bring out the flavours of the food.

The vibe inside is amazing. The decor is super cool and stylish, but still warm and inviting. It’s one of those places where you feel comfortable hanging out for hours. There is also a beautiful outdoor area with heating for chill nights and umbrellas for sunny days. The staff were wonderful—attentive and friendly—and the owners were just as welcoming. Thank You John, Chris & Theo!

If you’re looking for a spot with amazing food, great drinks, and a beautiful atmosphere, I can’t recommend Xander enough. It’s perfect for a date night, lunch or dinner with friends or even a work function.

A must try restaurant which will be on repeat from my...